Methane from farm animals that is burned to produce electricity is counted toward renewable energy goals in a number of states. (Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture) More than half of all U.S. states have adopted renewable energy goals, but many allow dirty sources of power to be counted and efforts overall are currently too weak to prevent “potentially irreversible” climate change, a new report from Food & Water Watch says. The Washington, D.C., based advocacy group examined the regulatory fine print of renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in 29 states and the District of Columbia and concluded that only a handful…

Call it warm minimalism: these 10 fireplaces from our archives blend seamlessly into their surroundings and don’t call attention to themselves—while crackling merrily and emitting the requisite rosy glow we crave this time of year. Above: A stone ledge creates a display shelf in the Ten Broek cottage by Messana O’Rorke Architects. Above: In stylist Tiina Laakonen’s Amagansett home, a fireplace blends seamlessly into the wall. See more of her home in Rhapsody in Blue: A Finnish Stylist at Home in the Hamptons. Photograph by Matthew Williams. Above: Architect Barbara Chambers’ fireplace echoes the architecture of the symmetrical doorways on either…

Most people wouldn’t call a centuries-old home that had been abandoned for 30 years and had no roof, no working electricity, and no reliable plumbing a “dream house.” But Pedro da Costa Felgueiras is not like most people. The Portuguese-born Londoner is a hot-shot expert on historical paints and pigments (see T Magazine‘s profile of him here), and where most of us would have seen a tear-down, he saw his next project, one that would unite his professional life with his personal. “When I first started restoring it I was like a kid in a sweet shop—it was so exciting,” he…

Environmentally conscious consumers often ask me whether a real Christmas tree or an artificial one is the more sustainable choice. As a horticulture and forestry researcher, I know this question is also a concern for the Christmas tree industry, which is wary of losing market share to artificial trees. And they have good reason: Of the 48.5 million Christmas trees Americans purchased in 2017, 45 percent were artificial, and that share is growing. Many factors can influence this choice, but the bottom line is that both real and artificial Christmas trees have negligible environmental impacts. Which option “wins” in terms…

This week over on our sister site The Organized Home, the editors let us in on the secrets to efficient bathroom storage, made the case for minimalist entryways, and more. Here’s a look back at the highlights from the week. Above: “Next to the kitchen, the bathroom might be the most hard-working room of the house,” writes Fan. “Given the room’s multifunctionality, it’s critical that the room have proper storage.” Find out the secrets to efficient storage in 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Bathroom Storage. Photograph courtesy of Rory Gardiner. Above: Entryways are sometimes guilty of becoming drop zones for…

J.Crew is just the latest in a slew of fashion-focused retailers expanding into the home space (we’re looking at you, Zara and H&M). When we heard the news, we took a look at the offerings and were pleased to find that in addition to carrying products from some perennial Remodelista favorites like Coyuchi, Best Made Co., and Danish tech company Kreafunk (whose headphones I can personally endorse as the urbanite’s best friend), the new collection offers a small selection of exclusive-to-J.Crew home accessories. Here, five things we wouldn’t mind adding to our own homes: Above: The Linen Pillow with Velvet…